Air Transport

Formed in 2002, High Technology Aeronautics negotiates and manages contracts with customers on behalf of its members and provides a purchasing and marketing umbrella, with stands at major air shows such as Berlin, Farnborough and Paris. The consortium is supported by Brazil's trade and investment agency APEX.

With 11 members, a combined workforce of more than 1,000 and turnover of $24 million, "it works by putting everyone round the table", says Urbano Araujo of Grauna, one of the founders of HTA.

Members, companies mostly founded by ex-Embraer employees, specialise in machining and assembling, non-destructive testing and design and engineering. After negotiating deals with EADS Casa and Pratt & Whitney Canada, among others, prospects look good. "Our main problem is capacity," says Araujo.